Michael Weatherly

After Tony's ex-partner, Danny Price (guest star Scott Grimes), appears to be the Port-to-Port Killer's latest victim, he revisits his days as a detective in Baltimore, including his first encounter with Gibbs, on NCIS, Tuesday May 3rd, 8pm ET/PT on CBS! (Photos Below)

In next week's episode of NCIS, 'Baltimore,' season 8 episode 22, fans will finally be getting a chance to see how Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) met Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and left behind the Baltimore police department for the federal agency.

How Tony & Gibbs met In one of the 'Baltimore' flashbacks, Gibbs and Tony will be in an interrogation - but they'll be the only ones in that scene. That's right, Tony will be the one interrogating Gibbs because his future boss is working undercover. Once he learns who Gibbs is, DiNozzo gives a nod back to the first season of the show: "Well, it's official. He's a cop - a Navy cop. Navy NCIS." (In the first season, that was the show's redundant title.)

After Tony's (Michael Weatherly, left) ex-partner, Danny Price (guest star Scott Grimes, right), appears to be the Port-to-Port Killer's latest victim, he revisits his days as a detective in Baltimore, including his first encounter with Gibbs, on NCIS. (5-Photos)

Michael being Michael — I was busy taking pics while my friend was taking the video - so the voice you hear it's not mine. lol Btw this is one of the various times we met him while being in Monte Carlo.

Michael Weatherly is directing his first episode of NCIS, which will introduce a recurring female agent named Erica Jane Barrett (to be played by Brothers & Sisters vet Sarah Jane Morris). In Erica's introductory episode on March 1, it's revealed that she accepted a job previously offered to DiNozzo by Director Shepard to lead an NCIS team in Europe.

Michael, who was involved with Sarah Jane's casting, describes the character as "a team leader who will be a very beautiful, strong, hard-charging, highly dramatic addition to the cast." He goes on to say, "She also represents a romantic threat to someone."

Since a show rep tells me this new character will share sparks with Tony, we can safely say Ziva (Cote de Pablo) had best watch out!

NCIS is about to go digging around in Tony DiNozzo’s (Michael Weatherly) past.

Executive producer Shane Brennan confirms to me exclusively that a Spring episode will delve into DiNozzo’s life before he became an NCIS agent (and the object of Ziva’s unrequited lust).

“The episode will reveal much about DiNozzo’s past as a Baltimore cop,” previews Brennan. “And yes, we’ll hear the first words exchanged between DiNozzo and Gibbs. It’s a memorable first meeting.”

NCIS, which currently ranks as TV’s most-watched scripted hour with an average of 21.3 million viewers, has been on a bit of an origin-episode kick this season. This fall, the show flashed back to the early days of Rocky Carroll’s Vance.

Whose backstory do you want NCIS to explore next? (That noise you hear is the sound of millions of fans screaming, Abby’s!”)

NCIS star Michael Weatherly will pull double duty later this season as he makes his directorial debut.

"I like cameras and I like sets and the surgical nature of make believe that happens — the whole process," Weatherly tells TVGuide.com. "I love all aspects of production, and I have a great deal of respect for the whole craft. I'm really excited about directing; it's an extension of my curiosity about film and TV." (Click on script - above right - to enlarge)

It's definitely time for Anthony DiNozzo to "Grow Up" a bit. Michael Weatherly is an excellent actor and it's about time the writers added some depth to his character.

While newer viewers might enjoy "DiNozzo" as comedy relief, most true NCIS fans, and the bulk of the audience, are seeing a talented actor dumbed down and underdeveloped. (Photo: DiNozzo posing for Abby "Requiem")